With high expectations we hit the waters of Lake Waconia at midnight in search of the elusive state fish.  After fishing our first couple area's with shallow running shad rapala's and not having the success as planned we switched gears and headed to one last spot on the way in.  About 1:30 a.m. or so Blake (her press secretary) was able to land this nice walleye.  It was a great looking state fish and also put smiles on all our faces.  Needless to say we were all ready for a few hours sleep before getting up and doing it all again the next day.  

This was my attempt at teaching Blake how to hold a fish the correct way for a photo.  At one point I made the comment, "you are not making love to it"!  Got lots of laughs out of everyone, but really I was just trying to teach him the proper way for a healthy release after taking a photo.  The prized golden raw rye was released to swim another day and fight another fight.  We were all glad that Lake Waconia had cooperated enough that the state fish was landed and witnessed by all.

That morning we did go back out about 8 a.m. and caught sheepshead, bass, crappies, perch, and sunnies.  We did not catch any more walleyes, but we had a great time trying.   

I can't say enough good things about how great Yvonne and her entire staff were.  They were a pleasure to coordinate with, work with, and even better to fish with.  I have to say thanks to them for being troopers and going out at midnight.  It made for a long day on the water the next day with no sleep but worth it to see the smiles, laughs, and memories that we made.  Until next time-take a kid fishing and Fish On!  

Have lots to talk about, including the governors opener, sturgeon bay, and much more. But in the mean time check out these giant sturgeon bay smallmouth! Place is incredible, we weighed 50 lbs over 2 days and finished 57th out of 146 boats.

Show us your catch in our photo contest for a chance to win a Grand Prize of a guided trip with Pro Angler and Host for the 2012 Governor's Fishing Opener, Matt Peters!

Submit a photo and caption of you and your catch - whether it be a walleye from the Opener or any other favorite shot to my Facebook Photo Contest. You can submit as many photos as you like by the submission end date, but the sooner you post your entry the longer you have to gather votes. Get your friends and family to vote for your entry, and the top 4 photos with the most votes win. Voting begins at 12:00 midnight on May 12, 2012, and all entries and votes must be in by 6:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, May 24, 2012. One vote per day. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 25, 2012. Good luck and fish on!

The media are in town keeping me busy.

I spoke with KSTP 5's Rusty Gatenby this morning just after 6 am. Don't worry - I didn't give away my secret spot.

Check out my sunrise interview with Brian Piatt (around the 7:18 mark for those of you in a hurry).

And last but not least here's the one and only Travis Frank, my good friend who will be guiding Gov. Dayton, doing what he does second best. (Travis' Facebook is here.)

For the most up-to-date information please Like Fish With Matt on Facebook.

The first thing I always have tied on is a crankbait! For the metro area I like a bluegill or perch colored #5 or #7 shallow shad rap. This is a must-have for me when it comes to early season walleyes. I can throw it with a medium or medium light 7' 1" G.Loomis rod and get great distance. It can also be trolled if conditions allow. I typically like to throw it to specific shallow rocks and locations that I know fish will lurk to feed on small bait and minnows. This technique is best during low light when fishing water with a low amount of stain - sometimes referred to as "clean" water.  

Next I will tie up a small jig (use your favorite brand with a good hook) that I usually tip with a fathead minnow or large leech. This is a very versatile rig as it can be tossed, dragged, hopped, or jigged vertically over the side on specific areas. The size of jig depends on depth, wind, and where I am trying to throw it. Make sure you are keeping contact with the bottom, but it isn't too big for the application. Find one that fits your situation. Remember - the smaller the better, if you can keep occasional contact with the bottom. For jig fishing I prefer a shorter rod, so I go with a G.Loomis 6'3" in a medium action.

The next thing I always have tied up for walleye is a lighted bobber for evening and night fishing. On the end of the line I like either a plain #4 Gamakatsu octopus hook or a small pink jig with a nice hook. The hook is important; if it is too light of a wire it will bend open on big fish, and they will get away. So make sure the gauge of the wire is strong enough if a "swine" gravel lizard is on the other end and wants to go the other direction. I always rig my bobbers with a slip knot so I can fish any depth from 3 feet to 20 feet plus, if need be. The same rod that I throw the crankbaits with, I bobber fish with.  

The last rig I always have to have tied on for early season lizards is known as a "T. Rig." This is a rig that many of us have used for years but it took Travis Frank throwing it before we had all named it the T. Rig - and I know he is a big fan of the rig that is named after him. It is a simple rig known to most as a "split shot rig." It consists of a split shot about 12"-24" above the same #4 Gamakatsu hook that we use for bobber fishing. The size of split shot is determined by depth and wind. I typically throw the rig and "drag" it along the bottom back to the boat - which means I am throwing to specific targets. On the hook is either a leech or a minnow. This rig can be tossed in as shallow or as deep of water as you want. I would say it's a poor man's lindy rig. All of my G.Loomis rods have a Shimano 2500 Stradic CI4 on them, spooled with 8lb power pro. The last thing I always do is tie on a 6-10 foot piece of fluorocarbon leader material.  

These few recommendations should help you put more fish in the boat. If you have any specific questions in regards to the rigs, tackle, or techniques please feel free to contact me. With the early spring I think we will all be scratching our heads when we hit the water for this years opener. In much of the state the fish will be getting ever close to where they "summer." I know this for a fact - no matter what phase the fish are in, I am ready to get after them!

Until next time, Fish On!

Chanvillager has also picked it up already.  

If anyone needs media requests or anything else, please contact me direct.  

Stay tuned for more to come soon....  Fish On!  

In case you haven't heard or read yet, Travis Frank and I have been selected to host and guide the Governor and Lt. Governor for fishing opener on our home lake, Lake Waconia. I am thrilled to be a part of such a great tradition and event. Being asked to represent my hometown community and lake where I cut my teeth is an honor. Growing up fishing Lake Waconia has been a blessing and something I take with me everywhere I go in life and on tour.  

One interesting fact about both Travis and myself; we both have websites originally designed and built by my sister, Jenny. Think it was just coincidence? I think not. I started my blog a year or two before Travis, but soon thereafter he was off and running with his site. For those of you that visit often you will notice a new look-and-feel to the page, and a bit of a new vibe going. What do you think? Jenny does the "behind the scenes" work, allowing me to do the part I understand and love - FISH! I honestly have to credit so much of my success and opportunities to my sister. Thanks to the channel she has designed and built I have been able to "paint" all over the canvas. I look forward to what the future holds and am ecstatic about being selected to guide with Travis for one of Minnesota's oldest running traditions, the MN Governor Fishing Opener. Fish On!

I have a Vexilar Double Vision for sale. This unit has both a FL-20 and a DTD Scout Camera in the bottom of one carry case.  I am selling the whole package for $800. Retail is $1150.  Used 4 times. If you don't want the Vexilar head unit you can buy the camera and carry case for $425 and put your own head unit in it.]]>http://www.fishwithmatt.com/lake_report/rss-comments-entry-15599598.xml